Jenny (now Jen) Watt (pictured below), a friend of mine from all the way back in primary school invited me to her family's Ceildh in Sevenoaks (in Kent, just East of London) just before Christmas. I'd been telling people that I was going to a "Sell-i-dah or something, I think it's a party" for a while, until Whitney, who I work with, told me the proper pronunciation.
She'd had a Ceildh for her wedding, and according to her descriptions, it sounded just like a Bush Dance.
Basically, a band (with a violin, accordion, maybe a drum) and a caller are on the stage, and they teach everyone the dance steps to folk dances. Then they start playing music and everyone dances in partners and groups and repeats a set of steps to folk music. Mostly, the dances are some sort of variation of bowing, do-se-do-ing, swinging your partner around, stripping the willow (to get a bit technical) and skipping around in a circle holding hands.
Luckily, I'd been trained at the Pimlico academy of Bush Dancing (aka Pimlico State High School, where bush dancing was an essential part of the PE curriculum), so I could keep up.
I also got to meet some long-lost Townsville friends, including my Mum's friend Leslie and her husband Paul Richards, Jen's sister Cate (above) and their parents Ron and Sian and Leslie and Paul's son, Owen (below).
It was a really lovely night, although, I have to admit, it did make me feel a teensy bit homesick.
4 comments:
Very interesting. In America they call the same thing a "Square Dance" (or a "Barn Dance")... What does that say about our cultures that the same type of activity (most likely originated in the British Isles) is called by these different names?
Anyway, I hope you're doing well, Helen -- and I wish you a very happy new year...
Prettige Feestdagen Eric!
I think it also says a lot about mainstream US, Australian (and probably New Zealand and Canadian) cultures being derivative.
When people ask me about typical "Australian" food, dress or traditions, most come from the British Isles. In fact, I struggle to think of many uniquely Australian traits. There is a rich indigenous culture in Australia (US, NZ and Canada as well) but I don't think that it is seen as a national culture.
Lovey to see Jenny & Cate and Owen. Did Lesley give you a big hug from me? Where is a photo of the oldies Lesley & Paul, Ron & Sian?
Love Mum
I got a great hug from Lesley and heard all the news about their trip to Oman. I wish you could have been there Mum, you would have loved it.
Unfortunately, I didn't take any other pictures of the party. I think I was too busy chatting and dancing. Speaking of photos, I can't wait to see some of yours from all your adventures!
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